v u r g a s



N. A. VURGASON', OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

Letters Patent No. 82,772, datedL October 6. 1868.

IMPROVEMENT IN SKIRT-SUPPORTERS.

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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Beit known that I, N. A. VURGASON, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a new and improved Skirt-Supporter; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

Figure lis a perspective view ot' my invention.

Figure is asectional view of the spring-catch.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.l

The natureof this invention relates to the supporting of ladies skirts, whereby the weight of the latter is not required to be sustained by tying the same tightly around the waist with strings or'simil'ar fastenings.

Itis concededby all medical authorities the general health of females is greatly impaired by the pernicious practice of wearing a number of under-skirts to give the desired contour to the skirtoi' the exterior dress. The principal objection to this practice lies in the compression or strangulation of waist ofthe wearer by the stringfastening necessary to support'the skirts, as the'mere weight of the latter would not be, if properly supported, so prominently objectionable. i

My invention is designed to support such ,skirts in a manner which will enable ladies tn indulge in the wearing of the maximum number with the minimum injurious eiect.

It consists of a band or zone formed of sheet metal, stiii` leather, pasteboard, horn, hard rubber, gutta; perche, or any other suitable material.

The said zone is divided into two equal halves, and hinged together to enable the same to beepened in the act of putting it off cron, or adjust the same to tit the wearer. v

The meeting-ends of the two parts ofthe zone are provided with any suitable spring-catch and correspondent holes, for holding the zone rmly when in use, aud adjusting the same to the wearer, :ts-aforesaid.

A number of hooksis aiixed around the exterior of the zone for `the purpose of attaching thereto the i skirts to be worn, the said skirts being provided with suitable loops or eyelets at intervals, .corresponding to the said hooks'. A v

A fillet of soft leather, kid-skin, or other suitable material, is sewed or otherwise affixed to the upper edge of the zone, which is flanged outwardly and perforated for-,that object. i

The inner surface'of the zone is made convex, so as to conform more nearly to the hips and waist, and is covered with any suitable soft material, as buckski'n or cloth, to prevent itfrom feeling harsh to the wearer.

Hoop-skirts or crinoline may also be attached to this zone, and the weight of any or all of such skirts will be sustained upon the hips, and not by means of strings drawn tightly around the waist. v

The invention has also the additional advantage of enabling' the skirts to be put oi or on with littletrouble,YV

and in a few seconds.

In the accompanying plate of drawings, the zone is shown at A A, having the hooks a a, Sto., and'h'inge b. B is the fillet of soft leather, covering the hooks, and protecting the outer garments from being grazed thereon.

C isthe inner surface-covering, of buckskin. t

c c c, Sie., are the holes for receiving the point d of the springeatch D, as shown more in detail at iig. 2.

E is a hoop-skirt, attached to the hooks by loops. l

The hooks are made large enough to receive the several loops of diii'erent skirts.`

G is a margin, of morocco leather or other similar material, which is stitched to the lower edge of the zone, to complete the zone with a suitable finish. i

I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The skirt-supporter, constructed, as described, ot the hinged metallic zone Av A, whose ends are secured together by the overlapping spring-catch D, and whose outer surface is provided with the hooks a a, covered and protected by the flap or fillet I3, said zone being attached at vits lower edge to the inner curtain or`ap G,

all arranged as described, for the purpose specified.

' I N. A. VURGASON.

Witnesses:

WM. F. McNAMAnA, Anm'. F. ROBERTS. 

